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Microsoft Excel makes it easy to import data from other sources, such as Access and Oracle databases. Doing so, however, may result in poorly formatted data that is difficult to analyze, sort or otherwise work with in Excel. One formatting flaw is caused by Tab symbols, which are not visible, although the unwanted spaces in your spreadsheet caused by these characters are readily apparent. Using Excel's "Find and Replace" feature, you can remove Tab symbols and make your data usable.

1.

Launch Excel. Open the worksheet containing the excess Tab symbols that you want to remove.

2.

Open the "Find and Replace" dialog box by pressing "Ctrl-H" on your keyboard. Alternatively, click "Find & Select" in the Editing group, under the Home tab, and choose "Replace."

3.

Click inside of the "Find What" box in the Find and Replace dialog. Press and hold the "Alt" key and type "0009" on the numeric keypad, which is on the right side of your keyboard. Release the "Alt" key. This inserts a Tab symbol in the search box. Leave the "Replace With" box blank.

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About the Author

Tricia Goss' credits include Fitness Plus, Good News Tucson and Layover Magazine. She is certified in Microsoft application and served as the newsletter editor for OfficeUsers.org. She has also contributed to The Dollar Stretcher, Life Tips and Childcare Magazine.

Goss, Tricia. (n.d.). How to Remove Excess Tab Symbols From an Excel Spreadsheet. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/remove-excess-tab-symbols-excel-spreadsheet-41719.html